I was a “Property Virgin”

Sunday I watched the series premiere of “Property Virgins” on HGTV, and I loved it!

I wish this show was around when I was going through the trials of first-time home buying nearly four years ago. In it, property expert Sandra Rinomato (pictured below) helps newbies navigate the buying process. I instantly liked Rinomato’s personality and believed her sincerity in wanting to help clients Steve and Sonya find their dream home.

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First, Rinomato helped the couple understand the difference between expectations and budget. From my own experience, I know this is an essential step before you even set foot inside a property. Even though I was approved to buy a home worth $350,000, I knew my actual monthly income kept me in the $215,000 range. So I appreciated the fact that Rinomato laid it all out for the couple to help them understand that the debt they were already carrying (including two car payments) would keep them from their dream home for now. Their willingness to look in new neighborhoods and accept a longer commute, Rinomato explained, could net them a house with many of the must-have features they wanted, including a large kitchen for Sonya’s baking and a garage to store Steve’s motorcycle.

Rinomato showed the couple three houses, and allowed them to enter each one alone for a few minutes to form a first impression. She listened to their concerns while at the same time trying to offer useful advice so they could make an educated decision. Once they agreed on a home, Rinomato worked out a deal with the sellers and ushered the couple through an inspection, which she says is essential to the home-buying process. That’s more direction than I got!

If you are in the market for your first home, be sure to check out “Property Virgins.” The title is provocative but the information presented is definitely useful. The show airs at 8 p.m. Sundays on HGTV (Comcast channel 39).

How do you apply for Rinomato to come and help you find your first home?

Christy Russell

How do you apply for Rinomato to come and help you find your first home?

Jackie

As an experienced homebuyer (of multiple homes), i would not use this Sandra realtor from “property virgins” if she was the last realtor on earth.
SHe is absolutely patronizing, demoralizing, manipulative (ie–having the homebuyers essentially “fall in love” with the home before she “pops” the price on them).
A realtor should have all the details on a home available for the buyer before they even step foot inside a prospective home. And yes the PRICE should be part of those MLS details given to the buyer.
The fact that she takes “Property Virgins” on “Tour” of more expensive homes first (even when its beyond their bank approval) as a tactic to “warming up” the buyers to spend close to or exactly the amount they are approved for, is downright obscene.
If i am approved for $500K and want to spend no more than 300K i shouldn’t have to deal with manipulative games from my realtor in order to bring me closer to spending 500K so that she can get a fatter commission check.
Some realtors play this game in order to get the most they can in commission for themselves. It’s so sad that “property virgins” are oblivious to that fact.

Jackie

As an experienced homebuyer (of multiple homes), i would not use this Sandra realtor from “property virgins” if she was the last realtor on earth.
SHe is absolutely patronizing, demoralizing, manipulative (ie–having the homebuyers essentially “fall in love” with the home before she “pops” the price on them).
A realtor should have all the details on a home available for the buyer before they even step foot inside a prospective home. And yes the PRICE should be part of those MLS details given to the buyer.
The fact that she takes “Property Virgins” on “Tour” of more expensive homes first (even when its beyond their bank approval) as a tactic to “warming up” the buyers to spend close to or exactly the amount they are approved for, is downright obscene.
If i am approved for $500K and want to spend no more than 300K i shouldn’t have to deal with manipulative games from my realtor in order to bring me closer to spending 500K so that she can get a fatter commission check.
Some realtors play this game in order to get the most they can in commission for themselves. It’s so sad that “property virgins” are oblivious to that fact.

Brian

Jackie: Right on! Sandra Rinomato is obnoxious. She frequently gets the stooges to say the maximum they would bid on the house, and then magically that’s the price she comes back with. She has clearly violated her agreement to keep that information confidential.

HGTV tapes her when she’s negotiating, and they almost certainly have her recorded breaking real estate regulations. I wish she’d get busted. She’s offensive.

If anything, get her to show you houses just to waste her time. I’d love to see her on a show called, “Property Veterans”. I’d like to see her pull her pressure tactics on someone with some experience.

Brian

Jackie: Right on! Sandra Rinomato is obnoxious. She frequently gets the stooges to say the maximum they would bid on the house, and then magically that’s the price she comes back with. She has clearly violated her agreement to keep that information confidential.

HGTV tapes her when she’s negotiating, and they almost certainly have her recorded breaking real estate regulations. I wish she’d get busted. She’s offensive.

If anything, get her to show you houses just to waste her time. I’d love to see her on a show called, “Property Veterans”. I’d like to see her pull her pressure tactics on someone with some experience.

Karen

Holy Moly!

I wonder if these readers are watching the same show! They are TOTALLY missing the entire premise of it. She is showing potential buyers just what their money will buy, with and without some elbow grease to increase equity. And she gives wonderful advice about floor plan changes, things a buyer could do to make the house work for them. I think she is the most common sense person out there and I would have LOVED having her around when I bought my first house.

I hope her show stays on a long time – I enjoy each and every episode. I find her refreshingly honest and she knows her business inside and out.

Great job Ms. Rinomato!

Karen

Holy Moly!

I wonder if these readers are watching the same show! They are TOTALLY missing the entire premise of it. She is showing potential buyers just what their money will buy, with and without some elbow grease to increase equity. And she gives wonderful advice about floor plan changes, things a buyer could do to make the house work for them. I think she is the most common sense person out there and I would have LOVED having her around when I bought my first house.

I hope her show stays on a long time – I enjoy each and every episode. I find her refreshingly honest and she knows her business inside and out.

Great job Ms. Rinomato!

Susan

As an experienced Realtor, I can tell you that Sandra Rinomato is not breaking any rules.
I think some people are missing the purpose of the show. The purpose is to show first time buyers not to be unrealistic and realize what their money could buy. There are a lot of those out there.
First, let me tell you that is just a show. Those houses were sold most of the time by another realtor, not necessarily from her brokerage. The buyers just want to be in the show, sign an agreement and Sandra recreates the sale. Just for the show.
All the negotiation that you see is an act, same as the paperwork.
Just relax, watch the show, and try to see if you can learn something out of that.
If the show is not for you, turn off the tv or change the channel.

Have a good day!

Susan

Susan

As an experienced Realtor, I can tell you that Sandra Rinomato is not breaking any rules.
I think some people are missing the purpose of the show. The purpose is to show first time buyers not to be unrealistic and realize what their money could buy. There are a lot of those out there.
First, let me tell you that is just a show. Those houses were sold most of the time by another realtor, not necessarily from her brokerage. The buyers just want to be in the show, sign an agreement and Sandra recreates the sale. Just for the show.
All the negotiation that you see is an act, same as the paperwork.
Just relax, watch the show, and try to see if you can learn something out of that.
If the show is not for you, turn off the tv or change the channel.

Have a good day!

Susan

Craig

Actually, having just sold a home in the Toronto area, during our showings, Property Virgins came through our house twice. They are NOT recreating a sale just for the tv show. What you see is what they are getting. They also film the couple going through a lot of the houses, but for the show they only show the best three of the houses. Anyone knows that you don’t buy a house after seeing only 3 houses, unless you find ‘exactly’ what you’re looking for.

Both my agent and I agree that the premise of the show is excellent. Sure, Ms. Rinomato could do things a little differently, but how many agents do things exactly the same?

Having personally met Ms. Rinomato, I have found her to be a warm, thoughtful person who clearly knows her business. What you see on tv is what you get in person. What she isn’t is obnoxious or condescending in any way.

Cheers!

Craig

Actually, having just sold a home in the Toronto area, during our showings, Property Virgins came through our house twice. They are NOT recreating a sale just for the tv show. What you see is what they are getting. They also film the couple going through a lot of the houses, but for the show they only show the best three of the houses. Anyone knows that you don’t buy a house after seeing only 3 houses, unless you find ‘exactly’ what you’re looking for.

Both my agent and I agree that the premise of the show is excellent. Sure, Ms. Rinomato could do things a little differently, but how many agents do things exactly the same?

Having personally met Ms. Rinomato, I have found her to be a warm, thoughtful person who clearly knows her business. What you see on tv is what you get in person. What she isn’t is obnoxious or condescending in any way.

Cheers!

Bob

can you guess why realtors are at the low end of the honesty totum pole..even below car salemen and lawyers…think of this Sandra character and the one above “Karen” defending her…off course she is unethical she PLAYS all of her clients…if she was my realtor I would have walked away..but then again we recently went through our 5th house buying experience….I know all the tricks those sleazy have pulled

Bob

can you guess why realtors are at the low end of the honesty totum pole..even below car salemen and lawyers…think of this Sandra character and the one above “Karen” defending her…off course she is unethical she PLAYS all of her clients…if she was my realtor I would have walked away..but then again we recently went through our 5th house buying experience….I know all the tricks those sleazy have pulled

Jessi

So, like her or not, does anyone know how to get on the show???

Jessi

So, like her or not, does anyone know how to get on the show???

Kim

I like the show but, Sandra’s condescending and talks down to her clients over and over again. I just watched an episode with the firefighter and his wife looking for a home in Dallas/Fort Worth. She has to the nerve to make a comment about how much money they can afford, saying, “oh we’ll look at the homes you are willing to spend your money on…oh I mean how much you ARE ABLE spend”. Okay it doesn’t sound as bad as reading what I just typed, but the way she said it on the show was rude. I think the show would be better without this lady. There was also an episode with the young Asian girl and her mother. Could Sandra have been any more rude or stereotypical? People come from different cultures. So what if Asian folks are superstitious. I’m sure there’s many things Canadians do that are different from other cultures. Rolling her eyes, making the girl cry? Come on, lady. Karma will come knocking on your door.

Kim

I like the show but, Sandra’s condescending and talks down to her clients over and over again. I just watched an episode with the firefighter and his wife looking for a home in Dallas/Fort Worth. She has to the nerve to make a comment about how much money they can afford, saying, “oh we’ll look at the homes you are willing to spend your money on…oh I mean how much you ARE ABLE spend”. Okay it doesn’t sound as bad as reading what I just typed, but the way she said it on the show was rude. I think the show would be better without this lady. There was also an episode with the young Asian girl and her mother. Could Sandra have been any more rude or stereotypical? People come from different cultures. So what if Asian folks are superstitious. I’m sure there’s many things Canadians do that are different from other cultures. Rolling her eyes, making the girl cry? Come on, lady. Karma will come knocking on your door.

Louise

First, let me say that I have never purchased a home. Mine is a family home that has been passed down through generations.

Surely like many others, I watch Property Virgins for entertainment.
I don’t really care if it is actual or staged. The expertise matters not to many of us viewers.
I enjoy watching ALL the property shows just to see what is available in other parts of the country/world and how others live.

And I love Sandra Rinomato as the host!

I like her personality, spunk, energy, groundedness, warmth, and realism; not to mention she is attractive and has a great smile.

Kudos to you, Ms. Rinomato….great job!

Louise

First, let me say that I have never purchased a home. Mine is a family home that has been passed down through generations.

Surely like many others, I watch Property Virgins for entertainment.
I don’t really care if it is actual or staged. The expertise matters not to many of us viewers.
I enjoy watching ALL the property shows just to see what is available in other parts of the country/world and how others live.

And I love Sandra Rinomato as the host!

I like her personality, spunk, energy, groundedness, warmth, and realism; not to mention she is attractive and has a great smile.

Kudos to you, Ms. Rinomato….great job!

liz

Sandra is oblivious to the housing market. On a show I saw the other night, she referenced a comp that was 2 years old. That is irresponsible. The housing market is going down and is not coming back any time soon. She tells people to be realistic, but she is the unrealistic one. People want to offer lower than she wants and she tells them they’re low balling (which they are not). Very irresponsible in the current economic climate. The prices of homes will come down to reflect incomes, not fantasy financing. On top of it all, she suggests that people change their life style to buy some crappy house. Poor advice! If you have to make such sacrifices, keep renting for a while. It is very likely you will be able to buy more house for the same money in the near future (i.e. CA & FL).

liz

Sandra is oblivious to the housing market. On a show I saw the other night, she referenced a comp that was 2 years old. That is irresponsible. The housing market is going down and is not coming back any time soon. She tells people to be realistic, but she is the unrealistic one. People want to offer lower than she wants and she tells them they’re low balling (which they are not). Very irresponsible in the current economic climate. The prices of homes will come down to reflect incomes, not fantasy financing. On top of it all, she suggests that people change their life style to buy some crappy house. Poor advice! If you have to make such sacrifices, keep renting for a while. It is very likely you will be able to buy more house for the same money in the near future (i.e. CA & FL).

Shannon

condescending
Do you people not get it. The show is called ‘Property Virgins’ for a reason. Sandra is not being condescending. She’s simply being truthful to these clueless ‘virgins.’ First time home buyers tend to be like delusional children in their wants and expectations. And therefore Sandra is treating them as such.

Shannon

condescending
Do you people not get it. The show is called ‘Property Virgins’ for a reason. Sandra is not being condescending. She’s simply being truthful to these clueless ‘virgins.’ First time home buyers tend to be like delusional children in their wants and expectations. And therefore Sandra is treating them as such.

liz

I have never bought a house and I am far from clueless. She is NOT an economist & demonstrates she knows nothing about the fundamentals that determine what house prices should be in an area. Sandra IS the clueless one. The housing market has become one big ponzi scheme and prices with fall back in line with incomes. She tries to push people into these overpriced homes without even looking what will happen to the economy in the future. Only about one quarter of people can really afford a home over 200k, so it is not delusional to expect more than a crap box when you are paying that or more. She is still living in 2005 and is in denial of the currently housing situation.

liz

I have never bought a house and I am far from clueless. She is NOT an economist & demonstrates she knows nothing about the fundamentals that determine what house prices should be in an area. Sandra IS the clueless one. The housing market has become one big ponzi scheme and prices with fall back in line with incomes. She tries to push people into these overpriced homes without even looking what will happen to the economy in the future. Only about one quarter of people can really afford a home over 200k, so it is not delusional to expect more than a crap box when you are paying that or more. She is still living in 2005 and is in denial of the currently housing situation.

Stefanie

I love Property Virgins. I think more realtors need to be like Sandra and talk TRUTH to our buyers. So many times we, I’m speaking to any fellow realtors reading this, sugar coat or don’t properly adivse our clients for fear of offending and fear of losing the deal. We shouldn’t do that. We are the experts, well some of us are, and we are there to provide the most accurate and current and relevant facts and information to our clients so that they make the best offer possible — if they truly want the house. After letting them know your advice, if they still want to do their own thing, then by all means wirte the offer up as they want it! But at least you let them know the facts. Buyers – find yourself an awesome agent and follow their advise! Sure Sandra is off on some things, but generally she’s GREAT with first time homebuyers. And another thing to the post saying we want to show our clients houses in the higher end of their price range in order to get a fatter commission check…PUH-LEASE!! This is so wrong to say…not all of us are sleazy salespeople out to make a buck and screw people.
I wish this profession was more respected. It does take skill to know your market and the trends and it’s a tough job.

Stefanie

I love Property Virgins. I think more realtors need to be like Sandra and talk TRUTH to our buyers. So many times we, I’m speaking to any fellow realtors reading this, sugar coat or don’t properly adivse our clients for fear of offending and fear of losing the deal. We shouldn’t do that. We are the experts, well some of us are, and we are there to provide the most accurate and current and relevant facts and information to our clients so that they make the best offer possible — if they truly want the house. After letting them know your advice, if they still want to do their own thing, then by all means wirte the offer up as they want it! But at least you let them know the facts. Buyers – find yourself an awesome agent and follow their advise! Sure Sandra is off on some things, but generally she’s GREAT with first time homebuyers. And another thing to the post saying we want to show our clients houses in the higher end of their price range in order to get a fatter commission check…PUH-LEASE!! This is so wrong to say…not all of us are sleazy salespeople out to make a buck and screw people.
I wish this profession was more respected. It does take skill to know your market and the trends and it’s a tough job.

Lisa

I love the show. I saw the show with the young asian woman and was frustrated beyond belief. The young woman was emotional and hadn’t a real clue as to what she really wanted. Add the superstitious nature of her culture and it amounted to one frustrating show. And I was just watching the show, not actually the one trying to help them navigate the process!

At any rate, I wish she’d been around years ago when I was trying to buy my first place. My agent was aggressive and I felt shepherded into buying something that I was unhappy with.

Lisa

I love the show. I saw the show with the young asian woman and was frustrated beyond belief. The young woman was emotional and hadn’t a real clue as to what she really wanted. Add the superstitious nature of her culture and it amounted to one frustrating show. And I was just watching the show, not actually the one trying to help them navigate the process!

At any rate, I wish she’d been around years ago when I was trying to buy my first place. My agent was aggressive and I felt shepherded into buying something that I was unhappy with.

Gary

I love Sandra and she does an excellent job. It’s a TV show and as such, of course it’s going to take some liberties. But the overall premise is simple: help educate many clueless first time home buyers on the process and several things to think about.

Gary

I love Sandra and she does an excellent job. It’s a TV show and as such, of course it’s going to take some liberties. But the overall premise is simple: help educate many clueless first time home buyers on the process and several things to think about.

Ronn

I absolutely love the show and DVR it during the wee hours in the morning. I love how Sandra takes the people through different homes. Sometimes one has to wonder why she is taking them to a home that is completely out of their league or desires, but I feel that is what she does to get the buyers the idea of whats out there and untimately realize what they want. I do have to say however, I feel the program is staged more than the viewer realizes. Take last nights show for instance. The couple was supposed to be getting married in two weeks. Yet, as the show went on, suddenly they both have wedding bands on. Even with the last shot, they were saying that today was their wedding day, rings on and all. And, although I wonder how many have noticed this one…..the brides wedding dress was hanging on the door behind her, all wrinkled and obviously already worn for the wedding. So thats why I wonder why its not true to story and why the viewers have to be actually lied to about the story line. All in all, I love the show no matter how they make up real lives of the property virgins.

Ronn

I absolutely love the show and DVR it during the wee hours in the morning. I love how Sandra takes the people through different homes. Sometimes one has to wonder why she is taking them to a home that is completely out of their league or desires, but I feel that is what she does to get the buyers the idea of whats out there and untimately realize what they want. I do have to say however, I feel the program is staged more than the viewer realizes. Take last nights show for instance. The couple was supposed to be getting married in two weeks. Yet, as the show went on, suddenly they both have wedding bands on. Even with the last shot, they were saying that today was their wedding day, rings on and all. And, although I wonder how many have noticed this one…..the brides wedding dress was hanging on the door behind her, all wrinkled and obviously already worn for the wedding. So thats why I wonder why its not true to story and why the viewers have to be actually lied to about the story line. All in all, I love the show no matter how they make up real lives of the property virgins.

Ronn

I DVR her show every nite. I do have to say Im disappointed on all the reruns lately. I also watch so closely that in recent shows, I have noticed something most havent noticed I bet. You will see them looking at several homes in one program. The trees are green and it is obviously summer. Then in the next shot like as if it was the next day, theres snow on the ground. I also noticed one time where this couple was engaged. At first neither had rings on. Then all of a sudden, they had wedding bands on and was talking about the upcoming wedding. Obviously this program as much as I like it, is staged. Also theres the fact when they get a phone call and bingo, they get it right in front of the camera, or they are walking down the street and the phone rings. Come onnnnn now. We get the picture. Its staged. But nevertheless, I love watching it after I taped it during the night.

Ronn

I DVR her show every nite. I do have to say Im disappointed on all the reruns lately. I also watch so closely that in recent shows, I have noticed something most havent noticed I bet. You will see them looking at several homes in one program. The trees are green and it is obviously summer. Then in the next shot like as if it was the next day, theres snow on the ground. I also noticed one time where this couple was engaged. At first neither had rings on. Then all of a sudden, they had wedding bands on and was talking about the upcoming wedding. Obviously this program as much as I like it, is staged. Also theres the fact when they get a phone call and bingo, they get it right in front of the camera, or they are walking down the street and the phone rings. Come onnnnn now. We get the picture. Its staged. But nevertheless, I love watching it after I taped it during the night.

Natalie

To all you naysayers, have you stopped to recognize that some of the episodes may have been filmed quite some time ago before the housing market went sour? I guarantee you that all of the episodes on HGTV are not current.

I think Sandra is great and refreshing. I wish I had someone like her helping me find the perfect house, and I’m sure dealing with her on a one-on-one basis would not be plagued by the restrictions that come along with the show. For example, do you seriously think people are buying homes without asking what the property taxes are? Come over to NJ and see if you’d buy a house without caring about that; you’d be in for a rude awakening.

There is more than meets the eye when “buying” real estate on TV, and I think the show serves its intended purpose well.

Natalie

To all you naysayers, have you stopped to recognize that some of the episodes may have been filmed quite some time ago before the housing market went sour? I guarantee you that all of the episodes on HGTV are not current.

I think Sandra is great and refreshing. I wish I had someone like her helping me find the perfect house, and I’m sure dealing with her on a one-on-one basis would not be plagued by the restrictions that come along with the show. For example, do you seriously think people are buying homes without asking what the property taxes are? Come over to NJ and see if you’d buy a house without caring about that; you’d be in for a rude awakening.

There is more than meets the eye when “buying” real estate on TV, and I think the show serves its intended purpose well.

Donna Khan

I’ve never bought a house in my life.

At some point in my life, I want to buy a house. When I do, I’d be honored to have Sandra Rinomato show this Property Virgin some properties, and to sell me my first house!
I’ve watched her show for a long time, and believe me, I’ve learned a lot by watching, listening and learning.

Donna Khan

I’ve never bought a house in my life.

At some point in my life, I want to buy a house. When I do, I’d be honored to have Sandra Rinomato show this Property Virgin some properties, and to sell me my first house!
I’ve watched her show for a long time, and believe me, I’ve learned a lot by watching, listening and learning.

May

What do you actually get for being in the show? I wouldn’t be in a a show where I do not get anything while they are making money from me (or anybody for the matter) being on it. Does really people go to the show just “to appear on TV”? That wouldn’t be very clever. I mean you can say that you get the advice, etc. but you can get that from any real state agent, not because Sandra is on TV she is better than the ones that are not. Now, if there is an incentive like a room fully furnished paid by the show, that’s another story.

May

What do you actually get for being in the show? I wouldn’t be in a a show where I do not get anything while they are making money from me (or anybody for the matter) being on it. Does really people go to the show just “to appear on TV”? That wouldn’t be very clever. I mean you can say that you get the advice, etc. but you can get that from any real state agent, not because Sandra is on TV she is better than the ones that are not. Now, if there is an incentive like a room fully furnished paid by the show, that’s another story.

Joe

Sandra Rinomato truly is a horrible Realtor. One thing that viewers of her program should keep in mind is that she’s getting a percentage of how much the homes sell for. She has a vested interest. Maybe that is why she always pressures buyers into paying the asking price, or, in some cases even more than that. That should be kept in mind with any realtor. I completely agree with what someone else said about her being condescending. I would like to know what makes these properties worth so much money anyway. You could buy a lot and build you’re own and it would be a lot cheaper in a lot of cases. I really hope that the real estate market continues to tank. IMHO it is a total sham and nothing more for a way for banks to suck the blood out of the working class. Keep this in mind, even if you have a low percentage loan at say 5%, you will be paying over double the cost of the house over 30 years. On one episode one of the buyers had sticker shock. Sandra told them don’t even look at the price, just look at the price of the monthly payment. That is a joke. This is why the real estate market is so out of whack. Bad realtors like her and people who are too clueless to look at the big picture. Wages haven’t been keeping up with the price of real estate. The ratio is at an all time high. The other incredibly stupid thing that she does is that the buyer will tell her, what their absolute max price is, then what does she do, right off the bat shows them a home that is way over the price they just told her. She is clueless as far as I’m concerned.

Joe

Sandra Rinomato truly is a horrible Realtor. One thing that viewers of her program should keep in mind is that she’s getting a percentage of how much the homes sell for. She has a vested interest. Maybe that is why she always pressures buyers into paying the asking price, or, in some cases even more than that. That should be kept in mind with any realtor. I completely agree with what someone else said about her being condescending. I would like to know what makes these properties worth so much money anyway. You could buy a lot and build you’re own and it would be a lot cheaper in a lot of cases. I really hope that the real estate market continues to tank. IMHO it is a total sham and nothing more for a way for banks to suck the blood out of the working class. Keep this in mind, even if you have a low percentage loan at say 5%, you will be paying over double the cost of the house over 30 years. On one episode one of the buyers had sticker shock. Sandra told them don’t even look at the price, just look at the price of the monthly payment. That is a joke. This is why the real estate market is so out of whack. Bad realtors like her and people who are too clueless to look at the big picture. Wages haven’t been keeping up with the price of real estate. The ratio is at an all time high. The other incredibly stupid thing that she does is that the buyer will tell her, what their absolute max price is, then what does she do, right off the bat shows them a home that is way over the price they just told her. She is clueless as far as I’m concerned.

Joyce Reese

I am a fan of Sandra Rinomato. I thoroughly enjoy her show “Property Virgins”. In fact, it is my favorite of all HGTV’s programs. She is personable, honest, warm, and I feel truly tries to help first time home buyers. Her laugh is wholesome and sincere. Sandra, keep up the great work you do and you certainly are wonderful. You certainly know what you are doing in real estate.

Joyce Reese

I am a fan of Sandra Rinomato. I thoroughly enjoy her show “Property Virgins”. In fact, it is my favorite of all HGTV’s programs. She is personable, honest, warm, and I feel truly tries to help first time home buyers. Her laugh is wholesome and sincere. Sandra, keep up the great work you do and you certainly are wonderful. You certainly know what you are doing in real estate.

John Myers

The one that gets to me the most is Canadian real estate agent Sandra Rinomato who hosts a program called “Property Virgins” wherein she helps first-time homebuyers find their first home. Everybody in real estate knows this is the favored customer. Young couples buying their first home insist on seeing zillions of houses. It’s a lot of work and the commissions could be higher but it’s so much fun to share their excitement and guide them.

Rinomato is awful. The camera most definitely does not love her. She has an annoying screechy voice, bad skin and badly hennaed hair. I think she is either an alcoholic with liver damage or uses way too much bronzer on her skin, which definitely appears jaundiced. She has a face you want to scrub and a gap between her two front teeth. Her clothes are way too tight for her body type.

I can barely look at her.

And her saleswoman ship….GROANS. She actually argues with her customers! You don’t argue with customers IMO….You ‘bring them around’……they are precious flowers! To be cultivated!! ……and she’s also “gimmicky

John Myers

The one that gets to me the most is Canadian real estate agent Sandra Rinomato who hosts a program called “Property Virgins” wherein she helps first-time homebuyers find their first home. Everybody in real estate knows this is the favored customer. Young couples buying their first home insist on seeing zillions of houses. It’s a lot of work and the commissions could be higher but it’s so much fun to share their excitement and guide them.

Rinomato is awful. The camera most definitely does not love her. She has an annoying screechy voice, bad skin and badly hennaed hair. I think she is either an alcoholic with liver damage or uses way too much bronzer on her skin, which definitely appears jaundiced. She has a face you want to scrub and a gap between her two front teeth. Her clothes are way too tight for her body type.

I can barely look at her.

And her saleswoman ship….GROANS. She actually argues with her customers! You don’t argue with customers IMO….You ‘bring them around’……they are precious flowers! To be cultivated!! ……and she’s also “gimmicky

Tina Wilson

I think Sandra is a phony and a terrible realtor.

The first thing she does is to dashes all hopes of buying a dream home by having her clients meet her in a neighborhood they clearly can’t afford. If she really had the clients best interest in mind she would have told them in advance the neighborhood selected was well out of their price range and saved them the embarrassment.
I would expect no less from my agent.

Then for a cheap thrill she forces them, yes I said forces them guess the price of the house they like only to deflate and embarrass them essentially saying, “Sorry sucker, you don’t make enough money to live here.”

Next this whole concept of staying out side while the clients browse through the house alone is nothing less than a cheap trick to get inside their head.
If her intention is really to let them form their own opinions without her influence then why listen in on them even worse make rude comments about their first impressions.

It’s painful to watch their confusion about the property knowing the so-called realtor is right outside doing nothing.

Next without fail she makes them guess the price of every single house.

Who does that?

Even if they come right out and ask she will turn it around and won’t tell them the price of the house unless they guess first.

I would fire the agent right there on the spot if they tried to pull that do-do on me. I’m paying my agent a good amount of money to give me the facts and information I need to evaluate my options. You insult my intelligence and waste my time asking me guess the price time after time like it’s some kind of a freaking game show.

What makes even worse is when they guess wrong and they usually do she will make a comment like “wow you’re way off.” Or “what a typical property virgin!”

Last but not least if they don’t like the house for any reason she will make horrifically ugly faces mostly directed at the weaker of the two clients and starts to make desperate suggestions like blow out walls and replace carpet.

And who is going to pay for that Sandra, You?

Sandra is rude, over bearing and should not be in this business much less the host of a game show.

Oh did I say game show? I meant to say reality show. Bye the way. Stay out of the US. In case you haven’t heard we have a job shortage here and every time you sell property in America you are robbing potential business from our own realtors. They have family and children to feed.

Tina Wilson

I think Sandra is a phony and a terrible realtor.

The first thing she does is to dashes all hopes of buying a dream home by having her clients meet her in a neighborhood they clearly can’t afford. If she really had the clients best interest in mind she would have told them in advance the neighborhood selected was well out of their price range and saved them the embarrassment.
I would expect no less from my agent.

Then for a cheap thrill she forces them, yes I said forces them guess the price of the house they like only to deflate and embarrass them essentially saying, “Sorry sucker, you don’t make enough money to live here.”

Next this whole concept of staying out side while the clients browse through the house alone is nothing less than a cheap trick to get inside their head.
If her intention is really to let them form their own opinions without her influence then why listen in on them even worse make rude comments about their first impressions.

It’s painful to watch their confusion about the property knowing the so-called realtor is right outside doing nothing.

Next without fail she makes them guess the price of every single house.

Who does that?

Even if they come right out and ask she will turn it around and won’t tell them the price of the house unless they guess first.

I would fire the agent right there on the spot if they tried to pull that do-do on me. I’m paying my agent a good amount of money to give me the facts and information I need to evaluate my options. You insult my intelligence and waste my time asking me guess the price time after time like it’s some kind of a freaking game show.

What makes even worse is when they guess wrong and they usually do she will make a comment like “wow you’re way off.” Or “what a typical property virgin!”

Last but not least if they don’t like the house for any reason she will make horrifically ugly faces mostly directed at the weaker of the two clients and starts to make desperate suggestions like blow out walls and replace carpet.

And who is going to pay for that Sandra, You?

Sandra is rude, over bearing and should not be in this business much less the host of a game show.

Oh did I say game show? I meant to say reality show. Bye the way. Stay out of the US. In case you haven’t heard we have a job shortage here and every time you sell property in America you are robbing potential business from our own realtors. They have family and children to feed.

window

I also feel Sandra is not doing her work well. she is unfriendly, and she never wants to hear anything negative about the houses she shows, seems like. She seems to also expect all positive comments only and that is just too much.

window

I also feel Sandra is not doing her work well. she is unfriendly, and she never wants to hear anything negative about the houses she shows, seems like. She seems to also expect all positive comments only and that is just too much.

Denise

I am firmly on the side of those who find Sandra Rinomato offensive. She really is a one-trick pony. From the first moment, she throws questions at these usually young and somewhat clueless buyers. “What do you think of this?” “What do you think the price is?”, etc., ad nauseum. As the poster above pointed out, if a buyer turns it around and asks her outright what the price is, she just refuses to tell them until they guess. And if you watch her face carefully, you will see very subtle and brief looks of anger cross her face when the buyers aren’t playing her way.

Just yuck. She is an unpleasant, fake, and very pushy saleswoman. Buyers beware!

Denise

I am firmly on the side of those who find Sandra Rinomato offensive. She really is a one-trick pony. From the first moment, she throws questions at these usually young and somewhat clueless buyers. “What do you think of this?” “What do you think the price is?”, etc., ad nauseum. As the poster above pointed out, if a buyer turns it around and asks her outright what the price is, she just refuses to tell them until they guess. And if you watch her face carefully, you will see very subtle and brief looks of anger cross her face when the buyers aren’t playing her way.

Just yuck. She is an unpleasant, fake, and very pushy saleswoman. Buyers beware!

Tia

I think Sandra is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tia

I think Sandra is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rob

….First of all I want to thank HGTV for such an entertaining TV program. I DVR every segment to the point if it is a repeat I know right off that I saw it already. I do have to say, it is quite interesting the way the Canadians say the word “out”, to where it is pronounced “oat”, to us in the States.
My point is to try to understand the programing. As fun and interesting it is to watch, it is very hard to understand the way it is taped. For instance, the way when the home buyers wait for a call from her and the camera is always right there when the call comes. And on the other end, there she is in her car making the call. Or other times when they may be walking down a street and get a call from her, and the next scene may show her at her desk. I can’t understand this. So my assumption is that it is all staged by the buyers and Sandra. It doesn’t make it so real.That to me, is quiet disappointing, being as I like the program so much. I wonder how this all unfolds

Rob

….First of all I want to thank HGTV for such an entertaining TV program. I DVR every segment to the point if it is a repeat I know right off that I saw it already. I do have to say, it is quite interesting the way the Canadians say the word “out”, to where it is pronounced “oat”, to us in the States.
My point is to try to understand the programing. As fun and interesting it is to watch, it is very hard to understand the way it is taped. For instance, the way when the home buyers wait for a call from her and the camera is always right there when the call comes. And on the other end, there she is in her car making the call. Or other times when they may be walking down a street and get a call from her, and the next scene may show her at her desk. I can’t understand this. So my assumption is that it is all staged by the buyers and Sandra. It doesn’t make it so real.That to me, is quiet disappointing, being as I like the program so much. I wonder how this all unfolds

Heather

I think Sandra is great! She breaks the truth to property virgins. Often the first home they see is either the most unrealistic for their budget or the worst interior due to the area they are trying to move into. “Property virgins” need to visually see these things! Sandra is really sweet and seems to know what she’s talking about very much. Great show and great woman.

Heather

I think Sandra is great! She breaks the truth to property virgins. Often the first home they see is either the most unrealistic for their budget or the worst interior due to the area they are trying to move into. “Property virgins” need to visually see these things! Sandra is really sweet and seems to know what she’s talking about very much. Great show and great woman.

Kelly

She plays psychological mind games with her “clients.” They tell her what they can afford. She shows them 2 crappy houses at the low end of their budget that do n
ot have the features they wanted and need a lot of work. Then she shows them their dream home, knowing they will fall in love with it. Only, its at least $100,000 over their budget!
Then she tells them they can talk the sellers down, only to look aghast and disgusted when they do put in a lower offer. They eventually cave in and buy the house they can’t afford. I hate her.
Yeah, she’s a “great” salesperson if great means evil and selfish.

Kelly

She plays psychological mind games with her “clients.” They tell her what they can afford. She shows them 2 crappy houses at the low end of their budget that do n
ot have the features they wanted and need a lot of work. Then she shows them their dream home, knowing they will fall in love with it. Only, its at least $100,000 over their budget!
Then she tells them they can talk the sellers down, only to look aghast and disgusted when they do put in a lower offer. They eventually cave in and buy the house they can’t afford. I hate her.
Yeah, she’s a “great” salesperson if great means evil and selfish.

Jim

She is a really bad realtor..I would never work with her. People give her a price range and she shows them properties that are priced higher just out of spite; some end up increasing their budgets…this is how you screw the American economy!!
She is rude and condescending…a realtor shouldn’t be saying “how could you not like this hoouse” but shutting the eff up ad looking for something her clients want….not what she believes the client should have.
I hope HGTV sacks her…hardly any Americans on that show…they have people from Australia, Canada…why???

Jim

She is a really bad realtor..I would never work with her. People give her a price range and she shows them properties that are priced higher just out of spite; some end up increasing their budgets…this is how you screw the American economy!!
She is rude and condescending…a realtor shouldn’t be saying “how could you not like this hoouse” but shutting the eff up ad looking for something her clients want….not what she believes the client should have.
I hope HGTV sacks her…hardly any Americans on that show…they have people from Australia, Canada…why???

tara

Sandra is the worst realtor I have ever seen in my life.

Advising people not to pay any attention to the cost just as long as you can afford the monthly payment is absurd. I’m not sure how she gets away with this kind of practice. Just glad she’s not my realtor.

tara

Sandra is the worst realtor I have ever seen in my life.

Advising people not to pay any attention to the cost just as long as you can afford the monthly payment is absurd. I’m not sure how she gets away with this kind of practice. Just glad she’s not my realtor.

Tracy

I think first of all, all of you people who just like to talk out you A$$ and not actually read facts or try and understand what is going on on the show need to get things strait. First off- John Myers your an idiot, if you would care enough to read a little bit about Sandra and try and get facts strait then you would understand that she has extremely bad health, congestive heart problems and underwent Open Heart Surgery about 5 years ago…so no wonder she has aged herself. I love how everyone has such bad opinions over someone they don’t even know when all you have to do is not watch the show. Just turn that “off” button on your TV when it comes on. Idiots. Also, most people who don’t like the show or Sandra are only jealous that they can’t afford to buy a house or have no education on TV production or Home Buying. So everyone, if you can’t say something nice then shut your mouth.

Tracy

I think first of all, all of you people who just like to talk out you A$$ and not actually read facts or try and understand what is going on on the show need to get things strait. First off- John Myers your an idiot, if you would care enough to read a little bit about Sandra and try and get facts strait then you would understand that she has extremely bad health, congestive heart problems and underwent Open Heart Surgery about 5 years ago…so no wonder she has aged herself. I love how everyone has such bad opinions over someone they don’t even know when all you have to do is not watch the show. Just turn that “off” button on your TV when it comes on. Idiots. Also, most people who don’t like the show or Sandra are only jealous that they can’t afford to buy a house or have no education on TV production or Home Buying. So everyone, if you can’t say something nice then shut your mouth.

Wileysgranda

the straight fact is her heart codition was cogenital, not congestive-big difference.